Technical Abstract:
Background: New trapping surveillance technologies are being developed for the early detection of Culex spp. Mosquitoes. Culex has been targeted due to their importance in the epidemiology of West Nile Virus and likely importance in the epidemiology of other emerging mosquito borne diseases. The main research goal is the development of economical trapping technologies which can detect low population levels of the targeted species and then transmit collection data in real time to some central processing location.
Methods: Research efforts have thus far focused on trap development and improved attractants. Trap development began by comparing the relative efficacy of various trapping technologies to capture different species of Culex mosquitoes. Some trap designs used active trapping strategies such as various types of suction fans to create updraft, downdraft or counterflow currents to guide adult mosquitoes into a collection container. Other trap designs used passive collection methods such as sticky paper. New attractant combinations were developed from a combination of chicken odors and various organic infusions.
Results: Preliminary results indicate that both active and passive trap designs are effective. The efficacy of the trap design depends on the species. Various combinations of attractants show promise. Effectiveness of attractants depends on species.
Conclusions: These data indicate that species specific traps can be designed. This can be useful in epidemiological studies. It will make collection of targeted species easier and the processing of mosquito collections for virus isolations more efficient.